What to Cook

Crispy, Salty Latkes

The key to crispy latkes lies in a hot skillet with plenty of fat and getting absolutely every ounce of liquid out of those potatoes and onions.

Tangy Fruit Salad

This is a two salad thanksgiving! And this one is tart, refreshing, and beautiful.

Very Good Turkey with Tangy Roasted Shallots and Excellent Gravy

This is a recipe for the most basic version of a well-seasoned turkey, which is sometimes all you want.

Turkey Stock

This is a description.

Classic Celery Stuffing

Stuffing is my favorite food, and this is my favorite stuffing, bar none. Highly recommend making more than one pan.

Leek and Greens Gratin

This is our Thanksgiving mac and cheese moment. If you’re thinking “no, that’s kale,” just trust me: it will probably be your favorite thing on the table.

Frizzled Green Beans, Mushrooms and Onions

This is a perfect side dish, IMO. It’s savory, deeply flavorful, and really lets the vegetables shine.

Brown Buttered Squash, Dates and Walnuts

I never knew squash could be this good (and yes, you can make it with sweet potatoes!).

Creamy Buttermilk Potatoes

My favorite way to make mashed potatoes—a little lumpy, very creamy, lots of butter, some buttermilk for tang, and lots of black pepper and chives.

Apple Cinnamon Tart

The only thing I can think about eating after eating, you know, everything else: a simple flaky buttery apple tart.

Cheater’s Turkey Stock

If you have the time or desire (or both) to make your own turkey stock from additional parts and bones before Thanksgiving cooking gets started, feel free. The rest of us can doctor store-bought broth with the “extra” parts of the turkey.